5 Indian Side Dishes To Make For Holi Day

If you are looking for Indian side dishes to make for Holi Day, here are 5 recipes that you should give a try. The Indian festival of Holi, sometimes spelled Holli, takes place every spring during a full moon, in March or April. This Hindu spring holiday is also called the festival of colors. The following 5 side dish recipes to make for Holi Day are easy and delicious.

Onion Bhajia

Ingredients:

• chickpea flour
• vegetable oil
• ground cumin
• salt
• chopped green chili peppers
• sliced fresh onions

 Directions:

1. Make a batter from your chickpea flour and water, according to package directions.
2. Add seasonings to taste.
3. Dip the sliced onions into the batter.
4. Fry the onions in oil.
5. Drain on paper towels.
6. Serve with cilantro or chutney.

Vegetable Pakora

For this recipe, follow the above recipe for Onion Bhajia. You will be adding the following ingredients:

• potatoes
• cauliflower
• cabbage
• spinach
• sliced onions

Directions:

1. Chop all vegetables into small pieces.
2. Add them to your chickpea batter.
3. Deep fry in vegetable oil.
4. Drain on paper towels.

Aloo Chaat

Ingredients:

• potatoes
• red chili powder
• cumin
• chaat masala
• tamarind chutney
• mint chutney
• chopped coriander for garnish
• vegetable oil

Directions:

1. Peel the potatoes, then dice them into one inch pieces.
2. Deep fry the potatoes in oil until they are golden brown.
3. Drain potatoes on paper towels.
4. Toss with the above seasonings, as desired.

You may garnish this dish with chopped onion, chopped tomatoes and fresh pomegranate seeds, also.

Kesar Chawal

Ingredients:

• long-grain basmati rice
• saffron
• one bay leaf
• cinnamon
• cardamom
• cottage cheese
• raisins
• cashew nuts
• clarified butter, for frying

Directions:

1. Soak the saffron for about 15 minutes, then drain.
2. In a hot wok, fry cashews and cottage cheese.
3. In a large separate pan, using clarified butter, saute the bay leaf, cardamom, cinnamon, rice and salt, stirring well until rice is golden.
4. Add water according to package directions. Add raisins and saffron to taste.
5. Cover rice and cook according to package directions.
6. When finished, garnish with the cashew/cottage cheese mixture.

Gujia

Ingredients:

• besan (chickpea flour)
• maida (wheat flour)
• mustard oil
• chili powder
• fenugreek (methi) leaves
• vegetable oil

Directions:

1. Make a mixture of your chickpea and maida flours.
2. Add seasonings to taste. Mustard oil is strong. Use no more than 1 teaspoon.
3. Add water according to package directions on flour.
4. Knead the dough well, then roll it out.
5. Slice the roll in one inch pieces.
6. Deep fry the slices in vegetable oil.
7. Drain on paper towels.